Author Topic: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build  (Read 32865 times)

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Offline Maurice

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #150 on: June 25, 2014, 12:37:17 PM »
Oh ok. Well those bolts do need to be tight, careful these things are fragile, tight but not "oops" tight.

Probably a combination of them not tight enough and the rod (thing with a ball head) being pushed when you put the cover back on?

Hope you figure it out.

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #151 on: June 25, 2014, 01:08:55 PM »
That's how far I have to unbolt it for it to turn the engine over again.



 As soon as I tie it down further it spins free.

If my clutch spring plate bolts are not torqued enough, the pushrod will be pushed in when the cover is tied down and act as if the clutch was activated right? I just need to find the sweet spot I guess.

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Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #152 on: June 25, 2014, 01:17:08 PM »
Fixed... I guess I was just too shy on those damn bolts. It's closed up and the kick works good. Now time for an oil fill

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Offline Maurice

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #153 on: June 25, 2014, 06:49:29 PM »
Good on you. Were you debugging the ignition without oil or did you rebuild the clutch in between?

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #154 on: June 26, 2014, 12:57:58 AM »
Good on you. Were you debugging the ignition without oil or did you rebuild the clutch in between?

Rebuilt the clutch in between.
I actually have that oil-pan leak, so I figured I might as well drain it to fix the clutch issue, and refill when I know it's fixed rather than tilt and unbolt, tilt and unbolt, etc..

Oh... and since I'm not too worried about embarassing facts:

I have two outlets in my new garage, one of them is connected to them main light switch, and the other one is on constant power. Guess which one I've been plugging my battery charger to...

Yep..  ;D

And there I was thinking my battery couldn't take a charge or that the charger itself was a p.o.s.
« Last Edit: June 26, 2014, 01:07:55 AM by Toustic »
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Offline vfourfreak

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #155 on: June 26, 2014, 09:11:13 AM »
Good on you. Were you debugging the ignition without oil or did you rebuild the clutch in between?

Rebuilt the clutch in between.
I actually have that oil-pan leak, so I figured I might as well drain it to fix the clutch issue, and refill when I know it's fixed rather than tilt and unbolt, tilt and unbolt, etc..

Oh... and since I'm not too worried about embarassing facts:

I have two outlets in my new garage, one of them is connected to them main light switch, and the other one is on constant power. Guess which one I've been plugging my battery charger to...

Yep..  ;D

And there I was thinking my battery couldn't take a charge or that the charger itself was a p.o.s.

Don't worry, I am sure we have all done something similar. If there was a "candid disclosure" thread, it would run to many pages.

So what voltage is the battery registering now ?

Kev

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #156 on: June 30, 2014, 11:30:16 AM »
So I have a fully charged battery (reading 13.1 earlier, now 12.8 after a few tries to turn it over).

I've checked my solenoid and it looks plenty healthy. Then I figured I'd check the coils to see what I'd get

This is what I'm getting when checking the primary coils



then I tried to check for the secondary with the 20K setting on multimeter and I wasn't getting any reading at the spark plug. I'm not sure I did it right (if you want to plug a few words about the right way to do so, please feel free). But Im not getting a reading. From neither plug and neither coil.

« Last Edit: June 30, 2014, 12:49:03 PM by Toustic »
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Offline vfourfreak

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #157 on: July 01, 2014, 10:37:07 AM »
Make sure you are testing two HT leads off the same coil (1 & 4) or (2 & 3). If they are still open circuit, remove the spark plug caps and test directly into the metal core of the HT leads.

Kev

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #158 on: July 02, 2014, 02:11:08 AM »
Make sure you are testing two HT leads off the same coil (1 & 4) or (2 & 3). If they are still open circuit, remove the spark plug caps and test directly into the metal core of the HT leads.

Kev

So...

I was testing the electrical and what now, because let's face it, what else am I supposed to do?
Turns out that I'm getting a 16K+ reading when putting the probes straight into the HT leads on both coils as well as a 4.8 OHMS reading on each, just nothing at the spark plug dust cap.

The problem I have with that, is that I'm not getting any reading at the B/W splice terminal of the wiring harness (subsequently the one from the off/run/off switch), regardless if the switch is on off or run (or off):



But I'm getting a reading at the coils' grounds:



As well as at the actual point's wiring:



So I think my problem lies here:




But since both screws are completely eaten, I can't disassemble the switch.

I've been looking up way to tell if you're stuck on the off position, but can't seem to find anything that's more CB specific (3 position switch), somehow most videos and instructions are based on ATVs and MX bikes... More recently a leaf blower owner was apparently very eager to find out what was wrong with his spark.

Anyways, that's another episode of my bike still at a standstill in the spark department.

Best,
Seb

ps: Sometimes the actual switch housing gets very hot after the ignition has been on for a little bit or when trying to crank it over a few times. Too much resistance? Corrosion?
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Offline Tews19

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #159 on: July 02, 2014, 02:15:52 PM »
Over here in the states that hand control goes on a 70-71 750.......
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #160 on: July 02, 2014, 02:58:24 PM »
Because I'm stubborn as all hell, I figured the kill switch housing was the issue.

Took the holding tab off inside the housing, and as soon as I did, those two popped out:



I felt releaved.. because it's exactly what I was hoping for.
Little soldering to fix it:



Got it all back together, plugged, and put the tank on...The rest is just one of the best sense of accomplishment I've ever felt in my life..

http://youtu.be/S-RoN5-RdQM
Yes, this is the very first start as you can see from my reaction

In case this is important info. That's me reaching over to get the choke off. She wouldn't start with the choke on.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2014, 08:21:53 AM by Toustic »
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Offline vfourfreak

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #161 on: July 02, 2014, 03:06:46 PM »
Well done !!!!!!!!!!! A great achievement Seb.

Kev

Offline vfourfreak

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #162 on: July 02, 2014, 03:11:12 PM »
But . . next time don't rebuild the bike on the ceiling, it is so much more difficult that way.  ;)

Kev

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #163 on: July 03, 2014, 05:57:17 PM »
I knew you would do it, congrats.    Whats next?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #164 on: July 04, 2014, 01:47:15 AM »
Thank a lot guys, much appreciated support.

I still need to check my carbs sync, adjust my spark advancer, and I'm waiting on a Hondaman Ignition and fusebox to come in.
Then installing the chain, brake lines, rear set, and last but not least, gotta find a way to pad that seat and paint the seat+tank combo.

But all that feels like a quarter of challenge compared to getting the engine to run. Start on a quarter of a turn now, and seems to be idling and revving smoothly. Although I didn't get to check it much, as the garage doesn't feature many vents and didn't want to kill myself by letting the engine run for too long.
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Offline vfourfreak

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #165 on: July 04, 2014, 02:40:08 AM »
It's a good feeling eh ? Well done.

Kev

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #166 on: July 04, 2014, 08:50:50 AM »
I still have oil leaking out of the oil pan, despite brand new gasket. Mostly coming out of the front of the pan.

I've torqued it by hand, but didn't use a torque wrench as my friend had to get his back (buying my own tomorrow).
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Offline calj737

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #167 on: July 04, 2014, 11:13:08 AM »
You don't need a torque wrench on that gasket, just 6#. If it's leaking, torque won't fix it. Snug it good by hand, and if still leaks, gotta drop it and clean/true mating surfaces. Oil seal may be wonky too?
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Offline Maurice

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #168 on: July 04, 2014, 01:14:11 PM »
Glad you figured out electrical, always a good feeling.

Is your gasket vesrah by any chance? Mine failed too, but OEM is much better. Seems the section is significantly wider. If vesrah just chuck it now. Careful torque-ing those bolts...

Offline vfourfreak

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #169 on: July 04, 2014, 01:33:17 PM »
my advice is to drop the pan and remove the gasket. Get a pane of glass larger than the pan and place the pan upon it. Use a thin feeler gauge blade to see if there is any gap between the mating surface and the glass. This test will show if there is any warpage in the pan.

Maurice may well be correct about the gasket, so please consider that also.

I am not sure, but there may be dowels in some of the 6mm bolt holes. If there are, check them for damage, like being burred or oval in shape because that wil prevent the pan from closing up to the crankcase.

Don't worry, this is a small hiccup, you will get there.

Kev

Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #170 on: July 04, 2014, 03:15:26 PM »
Glad you figured out electrical, always a good feeling.

Is your gasket vesrah by any chance? Mine failed too, but OEM is much better. Seems the section is significantly wider. If vesrah just chuck it now. Careful torque-ing those bolts...

You're spot on my friend... Vesrah indeed.

At least I know better now  ;)

Tho crap .. Now I have to get another one
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Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #171 on: July 06, 2014, 01:20:26 PM »
I'm still hunting down a stock oil pan gasket to fix that leak.

In the meantime I figured I'd adjust my clutch and throttle cables.
Wanted to test throttle response and the "kick"start for the 1st time:

http://youtu.be/K-eKxVzGZOY

Is this considered a bit smoky?
« Last Edit: July 08, 2014, 08:29:34 AM by Toustic »
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Offline calj737

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #172 on: July 06, 2014, 06:41:19 PM »
Too smokey for first start? No way! There's a hint of oil, but that is easily attributed to assembly, not yet seated rings, and possibly the new exhaust. Also, have you tuned and synch'ed the carbs yet?

Lots of reasons why there's a bit of smoke, none would concern me at this point. Now, if after several hundred miles, and fully tuned, it was still smoking, I'd be looking carefully at the plugs and evaluating the carbs. But not until I'd put some miles on it and let the engine settle in.

Looks really sweet right now. You must be very excited to get some road miles on it!
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Offline rb550four

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #173 on: July 07, 2014, 07:41:09 PM »
It's funny that I 'm reading about this Vesurah pan gasket leak. Last week I noticed about 1/3 of my bikes pan gaskets are leaking this year and most of the engines only have a hundred miles on them since rebuild , and haven't been road run in a year. I was about to ask if anyone else has had this issue with this brand. Now I know.
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Offline Toustic

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Re: Toustic's CB550F - A Swiss' first build
« Reply #174 on: July 10, 2014, 02:44:18 AM »
@calj737 - That makes me feel better, and thank you for the reinsurance and compliments my friend
@rb550four - I got fooled by Vesrah's claims to be a "perfect" replacement for OEM/NOS gaskets - Live and learn  ;)

So... I wasn't getting a neutral switch light at the dash, but not too worried as I was actually getting a voltage reading at the bulb socket.

The one thing I'm not feeling great about is the fact that when the bike is stopped (and off) I'm getting an neutral, a push down to 1st, a pull up to 2nd, but that's it... When I try to go up the gears, it's like I'm bottomed out  :-\
Either I messed the hell up when setting my gearing and shifting forks when closing up the engine, or the upper gears don't actually engage unless you're actually riding at a certain speed (which I've read somewhere). I'm ignorantly hoping it's the latter, but mainly because I'd be too bummed out to consider the former. Since I took the carbs apart for cleaning, I can't really take her out for a spin to see if the clutch and I can get along.

Lastly, does anybody have seat strap buckles for sale by any chance? I found some online but at 40$ with shipping and taxes, which should be considered daylight robbery.

Thanks for reading.

Thy Humbly,
Seb
"I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was a kid."